ANAHEIM – It hasn’t been the luckiest year for Rockies shortstop Trevor Story, but he had some big-time fortune Monday night.

Story went into Tuesday hitting .240 with 12 home runs. While he came into the year expected to be a highly sought player at the Trade Deadline as he heads into his free agency year, other teams are left wondering if an elbow injury that cost Story 11 games earlier this season is still an issue.

But he dodged a potential injury Monday, when a 97 mph fastball from the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani hit his left hand at the base of the ring finger. Story screamed and received attention from trainers, but stayed in the game, and nearly hit a home run later, and was back in the lineup on Tuesday. The swelling was slight, at best.

“It was pretty lucky for sure,” Story said. “It's hard to explain it, but it just kind of grazed me in the perfect spot, where I didn't hurt that bad.

“I was just able to let go of the bat right before it hit me. That kind of saved me.”

At the end of the inning, Ohtani, whose otherworldly talents of pitching and hitting (he served as designated hitter Tuesday) have him at the forefront of the American League Most Valuable Player conversation, apologized as Story jogged from the bases to the dugout.

“You always appreciate that,” Story said. “He’s a guy that plays every day and goes through stuff like that. It’s cool to have the other guy acknowledge that. It’s not super-necessary all the time, but something like that it’s good.”

Givens a popular ask
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported that when the Rockies’ phone rings or texts or emails pop up from other teams, it’s often about the availability of right-hander Mychal Givens.

None of this is surprising. Teams are taking a close look at Givens, fellow reliever Daniel Bard and righty starter Jon Gray. Givens joined the Rockies in a Deadline deal with the Orioles last year.